Coaching: The Key to Racing Success part 2

By Giana Roberge- World Champion at Master’s Time Trial Championships, US National Time Trial Champion, Winner of the Etape Du Tour, record setter at the Presque Isle Time Trial, First Place Midi Pyrenees Time Trial Championships and winner of the Lance Armstrong Time Trial.
This is the second in a series of posts that will look at everything from whether a coach is needed, to finding a coach and coach/athlete roles.


Where to look?

Finding a coach is not an easy task. A good first step is to call your local pro shop and inquire into the availability of coaching. Some cycling publications have classifieds and you may be reading these to find local cycling events in any case. Look for riders wearing a local shop or team jersey and inquire about their coaches, and who they would suggest or who they have stayed away from – and why.

USA Cycling is another place to look for a coach. They have a list of clubs in the country and many of these clubs offer coaching.


Who to hire?

While you must be choosy about your coach it does not mean that your coach must be male if you are a man or a woman if you are a woman. My coach, never having raced in women’s races (obviously) has studied them. He knows the women’s peloton well, and has a theory about women’s racing that transcends gender.

A coach, more importantly, must be familiar with the type of racing you are planning to do. For instance, a man training to race in Europe should be training differently from a category three woman. Your coach’s training program should be specific to your type of racing.

In these days of email and cell phone, it is not absolutely necessary for your coach to live near you. I travel extensively most of the year and Charles coaches me “electronically” most of the year.